Unexpected Laptop Issues

While my computer is packed, we kept Jordan's laptop out and available for our transition period of homelessness.  Unforutnatly, a couple of days ago we realized it had shifted in the vehicle (read dropped) and unforutnatly the hard drive crashed.  In to Memory Express we went - $250 later, we have a new hardware and new operating system.

The good news is that $250 is a lot less money than a new laptop!

The next couple of days should be pretty quiet as we had our last house related meeting, prior to possession, on Saturday.  I'm hoping to get caught up on blogging and go visit the pups a few times while Jordan is studying for and then taking an exam this week.

I hope you all had a great weekend!

Doing it All?

It's hard to believe that I haven't written since Monday as I sure have been doing a lot of talking about money.  Most notably was a conversation I had with Jordan which started out as one about my vehicle crapping out and turned into one about how we manage our money and communicate that with each other.

There are a lot of things that we want...a wedding...a house...a new vehicle.  We also want peace of mind.  Can we have all of those things, do you?  I think that we can, I'm just not sure that we can all at the same time.

Let's start with the peace of mind.

We have recently depleted our emergency fund and are down to a measly $75.  As we have so many plans right now - I can't see where we can get the money to fund this up to say, $2,500.  A number that Jordan and I are both comfortable with.

My suggestion is that we use any Christmas bonus' (approx $500-750), Jordan's GIC ($500) and any tax returns to fund it.  That in conjunction with continuing to put away $100/month - should have it back to respectable levels within the first few months of the new year.

Next, is our vehicles.

You may have noticed that we don't/haven't budgeted for vehicle maintenance/expenses as a category of its own.  This is paid for from our 'other' category. We are finding from the tracking of our spending, that we're actually spending about $115/month on repairs - every month!  That seems a bit ridiculous.  To compound that my car and Jordan's truck need more work.  My steering is acting up and I think i'm burning oil - apparently expensive things to fix.  Jordan's check engine light is on - (has over 400,000km) and so may need some big work as well.

Our thought is to purchase a new vehicle (2010 so has better discounts than the 2011's coming up).  We're looking at either a Ford Escape or a Ford F150 which would work for our lifestyle.  Buying another small, used car that won't last - won't work.  We need something safe for me and a couple of kids and something that we'll work for camping and moving my horse (towing capacity) and potentially a camping trailer 5 or 6 years down the road. I expect our new vehicle to last upwards of 10 years, if not longer - so that means spending a bit more money now.

So, the next big things are a wedding and a house.

Jordan said that he's willing to put off the house to keep everything else on track and keep me in safe ride.  I think that maybe we could look at a Condo instead of a house - so we can be on our own without roommates, and keep costs down.  While condo fee's will be a factor there are condo's for sale at about the $200K mark in this city of ours.

If the numbers I'm guessing to the left are accurate, we could still save about $500/month for the wedding.  We would have $10,000 come bill paying time - which granted is about $5-7,000 short of what we need - we could certainly look at doing a bit of trimming.

Jordan did also say that he would be happy to shave some of our 'planned spending' down and our allowance to order to make this work.  My mom felt that we still need our allowance to have a bit of independence, but we could certainly cut our spending some.

So, all of this....the thought of doing it all....is what has my head spinning - and why I've been so quiet.  We've been thinking and talking a lot about what our next move is going to be.  We're both wanting to take a leap - but it's certainly a bit scary!

I'd love comments, questions...support ;) If you have any to give.

Jordan's Trip

Thank you for your condolences and thinking of Jordan during this difficult time.  He's been back home now for a couple of days and has had time to settle back into routine.  When talking with my mom on Sunday, she suggested doing a post of Jordan's expenses while up north.  Well, I'm really glad she did.

For the most part, Jordan stayed with family, though on his last night he had to get up early to catch a flight and just wanted some time to himself, so he stayed in a hotel.  The hotel took a deposit (via credit card) in case there were any troubles and as I was doing the check on our credit card, I noticed that while the hotel took a deposit, they did not refund it!

Jordan called the hotel to get it sorted out, but the manager wasn't in over the weekend - so we're waiting to be called back on Monday.  As it stands here is the summary:

I'm confident that the $428.40 will be refunded, but if not - we'll have to make it to the end of the month on $122.  If we get the money refunded, we'll have $550 to last the end of the month - which is enough for groceries and a few more Christmas presents.

Hit & Run

I would like to tell you that the title of today's post is some sort of clever way of describing exactly what it's not.  However; that's not the case.  A week ago Monday, I was driving to work and a transport truck changed two lanes and moved directly into me!

I saw him coming and was able to brake (thankfully no one was behind me), but he still hit my driver's side mirror.  He managed not to take it right off, but it bent backwards.

Considering what happened, I came out fairly unscathed.  I caught the license plate number as well as the 1-800-how's my driver number.  Armed with those, I called and reported the hit and run to the local police.  The guy who owns the fleet is happy to pay for the costs to repair this - thankfully, we won't have to go through insurance.  It costs more and takes longer.

I got a quote done by my mechanic yesterday, and it's going to cost just under $500 for the part and the labour to get the job done.  While we have enough in our emergency fund to cover this, I'm so glad we don't have to use it!

Family Emergency

So, while we were on our trip we had a family emergency.  I won't get into the details, but my grandma had to go to the hospital on Thursday and has to stay until at least Monday to get some tests done.

We made a few extra trips back and forth from the cabin to the hospital and ate out more than we would have otherwise - all in all a low-cost emergency.  That said, it is what the e-fund was meant for.

I've transferred $150 from our emergency fund into our joint account to cover some of the extra cost.  Once all the transactions go through from the weekend, we'll have a better idea about if that's enough (it should be close enough).

Even before this fam-emergency, Jordan and I realized we didn't actually plan very well (if at all) for our week away.  So for the next two weeks, it's going to be movies and WOW for us - no more extra spending.  Otherwise, paying off my student loan is in jeopardy.

Business Trip

Today I get to go on my first ever business trip. Okay, so it's not like I have a very long job history - two years at my current employer and a variety of other summer-style jobs while going to school., but I'm still pretty excited.  I think everyone at work knew too - I talked about it enough.

The travel company that manages all of our travel booked my flights and reserved the hotel .  I will have to pay for the hotel room, cab rides, and food - but it will all be reimbursed.  I just have to keep receipts and submit it when I get back - then I'll get paid on our next pay cheque (it will fall on the August 20, 2010 pay period).

Jordan and I talked about it and decided that I can use our joint credit card.  One, we'll get all the Air Miles from it, and two I'll get reimbursed on my pay that get's deposited into our joint account - so it makes sense because the joint card is paid from the joint account.  I suppose things like business trips are another reason to not reduce the credit card limit that BMO gave us.

I expect to spend about $200-$250 of my own money, and am comfortable with the repayment schedule.  Technically, I could have asked for an advance to cover any expenses - but then, if I owed my company anything - I'd have to write a cheque to them.  So I think I like this scenario better.

The Author over at Small Steps for Big Change has gone on quite a few trips for work - and I've enjoyed reading about them - it also makes me comfortable with this arrangement at work.

So why am I going?

We recently hired a new person for our regional team and she has no resources there, so I am going to show her some of our processes.  Basically how to do what we do and where to go to get it done - it should be pretty good!  My Boss has said if we don't get through everything in the day and a half he'll send me back in a couple of weeks - but we'll play it by ear.

New Shoes!

Aren't they just beautiful!

I've been on the hunt from some new ropers that are functional riding boots.  I  also wanted boots that I could wear doing other activities (light hiking, camping etc).  There are so many 'cowboy' stores in my city - but so many are just for looks.  With stampede coming the fake cowboy fever is hitting this city with full force - so it's been a bit of a challenge.

Can you see those tags! I saved $65 or 52% of the original price!

It's time again...

A while back (perhaps a year and a half or so) when I was crawling out of the credit card debt hole, I made a decision to deplete my emergency fund to pay off my credit card.  I knew that If i didn't have a zero balance - it would be way to easy to justify small purchases - and keep the end balance high.

it's that time again.

On our way back to cow-town from my parents home town, Jordan's truck broke down.  I learnt that a 61km tow costs just under $300 - and that's after we got a 'deal'.  I also learnt that an alternator costs about $180.  Those little devils, plus the visa balance I wrote about last week, plus the gas for our vehicles and other fun times in my home town = a very nasty credit card bill.  

we've had to re-evaluate how we're going to pay it off.

My total visa balance is now about $2,080 - not everything has posted yet - but I believe that number is fairly accurate.  Well, it will be about that when Jordan buys the truck part today.  

I have already taken $575 from my account - this includes monies from my pay pal account, gift fund and a little from my e-fund.  That was part of my original plan to pay off my lower balance last week.  I have also already taken $500 from our joint chequing bills account.    I have transfered the money from my christmas and Efund, but it hasn't hit my main bank - it should later today or first thing tomorrow as I initiated the transfers last night.

Jordan is still intending on giving me at least $500 from his $1,000 grant that's coming his way - and that will go straight into the emergency pot.  I should also have about $350 from my next pay day (Friday) to put back as well.  

On an aside, I'm not longer sure that $1,000 is a good enough emergency fund.  Sure - it's gotten us out of this mess - but what if it was something bigger then the alternator - and what if it was 100km tow - not 61km.

Hurray for Emergency Funds

As you all know, last weekend I was in crisis mode. I had a family emergency that pulled me away from Calgary and had me driving all over BC and spending a few nights in a hotel.  My grandmother (thanks to all who asked) is doing well; however, there are still risks and next steps that the family will have to take on in the coming months.

From the moment I left work on Friday morning, to when I got back home late Monday night - I was not worried about money.  I wasn't worried about gas money to drive, or money to pay for the hotel ($110/night), or money to buy supper - heck I bought supper for the family twice. I was comforted that I had over $1,000 in the bank for just this sort of thing.  I was so much more relaxed and able to focus on what was needed because I knew this wouldn't be a problem.

Here's a break down of what I spent:

Most of the category's are fairly self explanatory however something hasn't posted to my account yet, so there's $10.00 not accounted for.  This is likely parking or some such thing.  I also purchased an update to my GPS that I got for Christmas prior to all this and it is also sitting on my Visa.

You'll see on tomorrow's bi-weekly budget that I have allotted $450 to pay the majority of this off and I have set aside an additional $220 on my next pay day (Feb 19) to pay off the rest, because although knowing I had my emergency fund gave me peace of mind, it looks like I won't actually have to use it.

Joy - Parking Rates Go Up...

Here's the e-mail I received this morning:

Dear Parker,

As you may already be aware, effective December 1, 2009 the monthly parking rate will be increased to $57.50 per month and for those customers who pay quarterly (every 3 months) the rate will be $170. Please note these rates include GST. For example, those customers who have paid for a 3 month period which includes December, the next billing period will reflect the $170 rate and the renewal rate will be effective January 1, 2010. These rate increases are due to higher property taxes, and increased enforcement/security costs.

On or around December 1st, you will be receiving a notification via email that your OLD subscription payment scheme has been cancelled. You will need to re-establish your subscription after December 1st by extending your parking term under the new rates. You will receive detailed instructions on or around December 1st which you will need to follow to ensure your parking subscription is maintained under the new rates after the expiry of your parking term under the old rates.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your parking space or extending your term please do not hesitate to contact us at (XXX) xxx- xxxx.

Thank you, The XYX Parking Team

Joy of Joys.... it's going from $147/quarterly to $170/quarterly - I'm unimpressed!  

New Glasses!

This past weekend, I actually spent some money that was above and beyond my $300/bi-weekly variable spending (jar money).

I broke down and FINALLY bought myself some new prescription glasses.  The ones I am currently wearing are three or four years old and are the wrong prescription for me.  My eyes are different already by a full point, so this has been increases the frequencey and intensity of headaches.

I've actually been looking for the last six months or so, and have realized that's nearly impossible to find a single pair of high index glasses for under $300.  I have been to over a dozen different retailers.

Jordan and I happened to be in Sears on Saturday because we were looking at some items we will want to replace when our roommates move out.  Sears optical (I didn't even know that had a sears optical until Saturday) had a fantastic deal on (won't get into all the details) but basically like so many other retrailers the best 'deal' was acheived when you bought two pairs instead of one pair.

I wound up getting a pair of prescription sunglasses and prescription regular lenses both high index, with scratch resistance and UV coatings and all that jazz for a grand total of $449.97.  Which is an effective price of $225/each pair.

The above price was with a one year extra warranty on the glasses, but I've never needed that before, and neither has anyone in my family so I think I'm going to retrun that (I have 30 days) which will bring the total price down to $390.  I have $125 left on my glasses benefit's through work, so after I claim that expense that total amount I have to come up with is $265 (or $132.50/pair).  I should be able to paymyself back in two weeks on my next pay day.  So that money will only be owing on my visa for a couple of weeks.  I'm completely comfortable with this!  Plus Jordan will stop nagging me to take care of my eyes :)

I should have pictures of them in a week when they are ready to be picked up.

Slowing Down

I have found that even the best of intentions, without enough forethought can fall through.
That may sound a little harsh, but here is where I am coming from.

I have recently had quite a few hiccups in my plans. In part because I have bought a few things, but largely due to some unexpected expenses that I wrote about previously. I had my credit card debt down to about $1300. I then had about $300 in car repairs, $300 in new tires, and bought a fishing rod. Now my credit card debt is right back up to $2000.

I also have to pay off two parking tickets, and a failure to display my registration ticket still. Don't know where the money will come from for those.

I do have plans now that would have paid for these expenses if they had occurred next year, and nothing between now and then had happened.

When you first start saving and making plans for expected expenses down the road (like car repairs), it’s really hard to meet your savings goals if you have some expected/unexpected expenses before you get there…

So I had a great chat with my mom last night, and I realized that it’s okay to take a step back and work on my goals slowly. That way, when something happens I don’t have to rush out to use my credit card.

I’ve topped up my emergency fund to $1000 and put contributions on hold. I will resume them in a few months once I feel like I am in more control of things. I have also changed my visa debt repayment from $300 plus every two weeks to $250/bi weekly.

I think that I may also have to look at my budget AGAIN. Because I handle all of the bills in a household with four roommates I have very large influxes in my bank account. So my $400/variables a month, may be more $100/first half of the month and $300/second half of the month. I’ll have to look more into when bills are paid, but I’ll write on that more later.

All of that said. I have about $50 to my name, AFTER I get paid on Friday and I still have to buy groceries. It’s going to be a tight month this May.

Unexpected Expenses - okay, maybe I should have planned for this.

Something new has popped up again. Maybe this is why it's so hard to stay on track. I need summer tires. Well, I needed summer tires. Growing up in my family, there is one thing you don't neglect on your vehicle and that is proper summer and proper winter tires. That's right, you need TWO sets of tires.

I did find an excellent deal!

I managed (through my boyfriend) to get 4 Hankook Mileage Plus II's for $322.06!! This is an amazing price... I was quoted as high as $560 to buy and have them installed. I bought them at the cheaper price, and J was able to install them at his shop!

So, it's wayyy less then I was expecting (I figured it I would have to shell out $500) but it's still not $$ that I have available right now. So, I put it on my credit card (not yet updated in the tracking bars). Further to this I recently received a ticket for not displaying my car registration properly (Grrrr to Alberta for having different rules than BC!). That is going to cost me about $300.

So... I have about $700 of unexpected costs this week. *sighs*

I am having troubles decieding if this counts as an 'emergency'. Do I use my emergency fund to pay for this? Do I use part of it? or - do I had two more payments to my credit card debt repament. I really don't want to do that.

or - do I spend less money, or do I make more money?

There are a lot of options here...and I just don't know what the right one is.

Unexpected Expenses - Continued

Excellent news. Well, perhaps, moderate news at least.

Parts for the car are going to be about $100 less then we expected for the parts that we knew we would have to buy. Unfortunatly I also had a gasket, and a ball barring that need to be replaced. The gasket was about $40 and the ball baring will be about the same. J took my car to work today so hopefully that get's squared away tonight and I can have my car back. I've been driving J's truck the last few days. S, the mechanic, wants $100 for his time which is a far cry less then what I would pay if I had taken it to an actual shop instead of my J's shop (sounds complicated, but only if you don't know who I am and what J does).

S, was previously a Mazda mechanic for 15 years and said that if I treat the car right and get regular maintenance I should be able to get 500,000km on that car. I'm pushing 180,000km now - so it has a long life ahead of it. Looking at it that way, it's worth the $300-500 we are putting into it now.

I feel pretty good about everying. I hope I will be able to save a few hundred dollars for the next time this comes up. I'm going to look at my savings accounts and goals and make sure I've got a plan to take care of this beater of mine.

Unexpected Expenses

Even great plans with good intentions can run into problems. I have recently set up these finanicial plans and goals to plan for the future and to pay for the now. Unfortunatly some future has come up before I had the $$ saved for the future.

I blogged a few days ago about a fleeting desire to have a new car. Well, my current car a '97 Mazda is now in the shop. The parts will cost just over $300. Most of the labour will be free because my Partner, J, is working on it tonight in his shop. One of his mechanics is going to help but when he worked on J's truck he want $50/hour. I'm not sure what he'll want for me...but I know that it will be cheaper then taking it to a garage in the city and I know I can trust the work being done on it.

Unforutnatly this $300+ expense is on my Visa. As is the new patio set I just bought. Okay.. so the patio set could have been avoided, I had a serious case of misjudgement but I REALY wanted it. Yes, I had a want and I induldged it. I don't feel good about it, but I really love my patio set. It's very cute.

Okay...after this, I will defninatly cut up my credit card. Soon.

As soon as all of these transacations are posted on my credit card, I will re-formulate my credit-card pay off plan and post that.